Baldy

I really do hope that speedway is not going to go the way of football with this sort of behaviour. I have seen isolated incidents of poor language at a few tracks over the years, including Loomer Rd but this is something that should not be put up with by anyone. Poor football put me off at Vale 15 years ago but was asked to take some kids to the Brit two years back. On that occasion and another since after I was persuaded it was a one off I have left games just into the second half because of foul and obusive language, and threats to myself and kids for asking someone not to kick my seat. I know it's very old school to think this way but we have far better ways of raising our voices in support of our teams than to turn the air blue. I was not at the meeting on Sunday but by the sounds it was not pleasant enviroment to have youngsters in, never mind adults. Lets see what happens this weekend; just hope the speedway brings our discussions to the forum and nothing else.

I said a while back on another thread that I would not comment on rolling averages again and here I am. Think you hit it on the head, We are after an indicator of form and 12 matches would give us that. Anywhere between 8 and 12 I think would be ok though. We would not need issues as such. As one match drops off another takes its place, so we would have a "rolling average" If we cannot get a grip on that idea we really are in a state. The way they are being done at present do not measure up to be called meaningful rolling average;(over too big a timescale) though there is room for arguement. Would we continue to support the sport if we thought "average manipulation" was going on?. Please nobody ask how we could tell if manipulation was taking place or not as that really would be a slight on everyones intelligence.

I think what gets at people the most is the fact that this young lad has come in on "false" average; although this is not known completly until the lad had rode. All suspected that he would, but until he took to the track, thats all that it was a suspicition. I have nothing against the lad; in fact I went down to watch the Tigers take on Dudley just to watch him ride and expect to see him ride at Loomer again in the "play offs" or whatever they are called. He is an exciting rider and isn't that what we want to see?. I do. The way riders get averages is a major flaw in the sport. They had the chance when the"rolling" averages came in but these are not rolling but stagnant averages to a degree when a rider acheives his average. Think it's true that some Wolves riders could be using 2010 rides to cal their 2012 average. FARCE. Take last six or eight meetings and drop and pick up every meeting after. Anyway good luck to Heeps, you have a great future ahead.

Well done to Dudley last night, I enjoyed it very much. Thought the speakers were great and I'm 50 and on top of them. Of course not everyone is going to like but in the words of The Icicle Works. "some like you baby, some like me" we all like different things. We have to attract younger supporters and looking around the young un's were all singing along, I sang to the ones I knew!!. Impressed with Heeps; who wouldn't be, infact all the Fen riders did well. The question was asked, what if Howarth had riden?. The Aces would of won; taking nothing away from Mason's efforts but Kyle would of won it for them. Heathens lads impressed me and the way Morris went about the last ride was great. Adam Roynan was a pleasure to watch; he can blame me for his fall as I'd just said how smooth he was riding. Paul Stark rode well for his two wins and who said if Adam A doesn't gate he's beaten, lovley pass by the fence. Well done to all who took part, with abit of an extra "well done to the Heatens.

Didn't notice your horn on Saturday!!!. What a parade allows is the visiting riders a chance to get a few starts and a chance to speed the bends a bit. Doesn't level the playing field but helps out the riders a bit to the way the track is set up. May be a few would of changed a few settings on Saturday as it was very grippy early on. Poor Kyle looked like a novice in the first race, because he was caught out a little or doesn't like that type of track. Well done Potters, pity James fell in heat 15; would of liked to see him take on Hughes and Cockle.

Not the best meeting that I've seen but positives to be draw. Stefan looks like he could become a very good speedway rider. Great out of the tapes and on a very difficult track he did well. James continued his very impressive form along with the usual suspects of Jamie, Tim, old man Tony and Simon. Gareth is probably a little disapointed he isn't scoring more but is plugging away. Ben is trying very hard and no complaints about his application. Put the 3 points in the bag and move on.

Just read Malc's thoughts in the local press and agree with what he has to say about the stay away's having a go at National racing.I have been massively inpressed with the standard and quality of racing this year at Loomer Rd; so lads/girls ;it's a nice evening, nothing on the tv; dancing does start till 11 so come on down and see the lads. I know events off the track have not helped Stokes profile but the track lights should not be needed tonight, although that "sun break" looks on the cards. Come on the Potters!!!

Looking forward to seeing Stefan, thats the lad who was at Sheff/Scunthorpe earlier in the season?. Not heard of Rumsey, new to the sport?. Weather great in Stoke at moment; hope for a good close meeting, how Cockle and Hughes go will prehaps decide if it's close or not; unless there is a STAR in their ranks that I don't know about. Safe meeting for all.

They had a break in a few weeks back and some elecrical/plumbing work needed to be done; which by the sounds of it hasn't been done. Strange as there has been matches since. Be good if someone in with the club could comment as I may have my wires crossed...or even a pipe burst. Poor show by Stoke after all the recent problems they have had. Looks like a trip to Leicester; wonder if Tim is riding?.

I bang my drum for the last time on this subject. The time sclae used to calc these "rolling averages" is way too long, it makes no sense at all and is totally unfair because riders who lose form are going to be left high and dry on averages that promoters will not take a chance on. Boy do speedway make it hard for themselves!! Between 8-12 meetings should be used. How hard is this.

Interesting and true thoughts. On Sat just past, Gareth kept Robert Branford, a very good rider at this level behind for the whole race; even battled side by side to make sure he got the lead. Not sure if Branford was upset that Isherwood had done him wrong or that he kept him at bay for the race. Think Gareth will always have a problem with gating which will keep his scoring potential down. Put a fair bit of money into new machinery and with that I take he wants to do well. Good meeting at BV tomorrow if the weather holds out; working in the other direction Wednesday but with a good wind may get there.

Just in from the meeting and if Jamie Pickard does not have the biggest increase from start average this year I'd love to see the lad who does ride. Ok Buxton were not the biggest challenge tonight but had Jason Garrity, Robert Branford and Luke Priest who are decent riders and he still got a full max. The lad has really blossomed this year. Track didn't give up too much tonight but thought Branford rode the track well and looked quicker than most of the others. Not sure how Adam Allott has been riding the rest of the season but looked a shadow of the rider I have seen in the past. Jon was a welcome guest as always and the rest of the boys did well. Good to see Ben get some points that his efforts this year have deserved but hadn't got. Gareth emerged from nowhere and beat Robert in one race, don't think Branford was too happy with Isherwood as they tangled on the back straight. Looked like a racing knock to me. Tim continued his impressive form and he and Jamie must get a few premier rides soon. I hope all the hype about Jason hasn't affected him as he did ok tonight but never looked like setting any races alight, prehaps the track was to blame for that. James to me looks like a little Jon Armstrong...that is if there is such a thing, well done. Good to get through the meeting with all the lads out the other end, injury free. well done to all fourteen for giving a go.

I want him to turn himself around and not get replaced at all. The lad has taken an awful lot of bad press for his riding, some would say justified. He is not the best gater but should have the track craft in his locker by now to get himself up some places in races but seems to be lacking in speed which is worrying. The only points at present he is picking up are when others make mistakes. Gareth is better than that but can only go on so long for the best of the team and the paying supporters. Like you say only Cal on a similar average is about at present, but though James Mcbain looked worth a look at the practice. It is a competitive sport, so all riders in teams should be as competitive as possible. Come on Gareth get yourself together.!!

Agree with you with Ben, just if the promotion feel the same. Hope so. He seems to have a good shape on a bike and at times really attacks the track, I like the young man. With Gareth..em..he has along with his family done an awful lot for Stoke speedway over the years and must be hard for the promotion having brought him in, to now think to leave him out. From a team point of view, if/when he drops to reserve we look very weak. This lad was on an eight average a few years back so can do it....just needs to do it and soon.

Main issues for me are. First. What is wrong with that third bend. It seems to straighten up some riders. Every time Tony went into it I closed my eyes as he was all over the place, same with Simon early on. Also caused one of the Sheff lads to go straight into the fence. Yet other riders had no problem at all.Anybody cast any light on the problem?. Felt really for Paul; always been a fan of him but he is ethier still suffering from his injuries from last year or machinery problems or....??.Never at the races yesterday. Sheff/Scun deserved a point from the match; although thought we deserved a point at Sheff; so they cancel each other out. Very impressed with Irvine,Birks and the Worralls, exciting to watch and great pass on Tim by Gary in heat 15. Simon started a little slow and then went that step up from the others and Tony hated that bend three, then steeled...a little. Tim excellent; what a rider he is turning out to be. Jamie and James are a joy to watch. Unfortuately; and I hope I'm wrong; time seems to be running out for Gareth and Ben. Both have for me talent but are struggling at present. Enjoyed the racing... when we got it. Well done all.

Suppose I should be doing this after I've seen Sheff/Scunthorpe ride tonight. Impressed with them away and have at least one good reserve...not seen the other lad ride....think he might have an injury for tonight. Think the only thing that could go against Sheff/Sc topping the league is the double up riders( amount of) BV look good too. Like my Potters. Two lads struggling at present but have not enjoyed my speedway as much for years.

I only saw the lad ride once and he did look a little short of the standard required, BUT the way that the situation was handled(or the way it looked like it was)very poor indeed. Confidence plays a massive part in all that we do, once broken it can be very difficult to gain back.

Promises to be a good meeting tonight. I know the draw of the Man U Barca game might be great but the weather is good in Stoke..at present and these lads, (of both sides) need our support.

Whilst I agree with the majority of your post, one very small gripe is how a team that had five of it's team flying could get a score that flattered them is hard to work out. Once the possible threat of Lewis getting seven good rides in(a real threat early on)was gone, there was only going to be one winner. Jamie has been a joy to watch this year and James is going in the right direction in his development. Jack was the rider I remember( good in some; followed by very average rides) and if he had come in on a 5 average; would of been a good shout for Stoke. Will think he will finish with an average a point or so below the one he has now. Brundle had a very strange meeting with his indifferent rides. Impressed with Halsey and Jacobs with loads of effort. Baseby did his average( his pre-meeting warm up routine was most impressive though) and Laurence is not quite ready yet. Ben for Stoke looked fast after the meeting when trying his bike out so not worried there. Gareth has yet to show the rider he can be. The rest of the boys we excellent and deserved their 57-36 win.

I really feel for people who are in the sharp end of trying to mantain a rider with all that goes with generating money to keep going. True, that the vast majority on people on the forum; including myself have no idea what it costs. If it's £10 per point then it looks impossible without major outside investment to keep a "high scoring" racer going; how the lads who are scraping a few points a meeting do it I will never know. I think that supporters of speedway are a dying breed as the amount of people I come across say, "I used to go, but not anymore". Why is the million dollar question. I encourge all of us to support all we can and drag along anybody who shows any interest. I really fear for the future of speedway at all levels. The cost of riding is massive by the looks of it and the crowds are shrinking. Not a equal equation!!

It doesn't look too promising here at Stoke at all with the weather. Rained most of the morning and looks like it will continue.

James was nearly in our starting 7 this year as he was the rider who was battling it out with Ben on practice day. Looked quicker out of the game than Ben but Ben seem to have move open speed. Good luck to James in the team and Ben on a recovery from his nasty fall. Luke isn't a number one but expect he will pick up enough points to get the team home. Be a very close and enteresting tussle.

I use rolling averages in the manufacturing world...yes our Isles still has a manufacuring industry.but only just. The way to get any value out of them is if your sample period is correct; too long or short and it losses track of the reason you use them; that is to get as close an idea as where you are in your current situation; or in speedway's case; as close to the true riding ability and scoring potential of the rider in question. So what is the right sample period?. I, in my humble work place use the 1/4 rule, that is 52 weeks in a year so the past 13 weeks are used. In speedways case if a rider has a potential 40 meetings a year then the last ten meetings used. I know you have the problem of home away fixtures and riders getting injured but looking at the two years they are using; it is way too long and will not work. A rolling average should change with every meeting rode, not wait until certain dates because then it no longer is a true rolling average.

Was all for coming down and today been hit that I have got to "entertain" some Chinese visitors on Sunday. Trip to Alton Towers on cards....only been there a 1000 times!!!. Tim has been riding very well early on for us; infact I have no complaints about any of our riders. Yet to see Simon in a Potters jacket but I expect with his Sheffield duties that he will be sharp. Should be a close match and hopefully an injury free day.